What Does the Future Look Like for the Cardinals Fifth-Year Back?
Stay ready. That’s a phrase that James Conner knows too well. James Conner had to step up as the Steelers’ starter in 2018 when Le’Veon Bell decided he was not getting paid enough to play. James Conner proved himself as a worthy starting running back for the Steelers and has done the same thing for the Cardinals. He was having a great season for the Cardinals until he got injured at the start of this season. This was a season-ending injury that leaves his future uncertain. However, knowing how resilient he is as a person, he could bounce back.
Where It Started
At the start of the 2018 season, Le’Veon Bell, the starting Steelers running back, known for his patience and shiftiness, decided that he was not getting paid enough money. Bell decided that he was going to refuse to play until the Steelers could get him a better contract. Bell thought that the Steelers would be lost without him and hoped that his decision would force them to renegotiate his contract. However, this was not the case at all. James Conner stepped up in his place. With 973 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his first season as the starter, James Conner was not playing like a backup. He emerged as the starter for the Steelers and ended up playing there for four seasons. Le’Veon Bell never came back to the Steelers after he sat out. He signed with the Jets, where he was never the same player as he once was. He was out of the league by the end of 2021. The story was a lesson to not be arrogant and to be humble instead. James Conner was the humble one who took advantage of his opportunity.
Signing and Staying with Arizona
James Conner signed a deal with the Cardinals for the 2021 season after leaving the Steelers for a $1.75 million contract for only a year. In 2021, he had 752 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He proved that he could be trusted as a starter for the Cardinals. The Cardinals then extended his contract to 2024. He continued to do excellently. In 2023 and 2024, James Conner had more than 1000 yards, logging 1,040 yards in 2023 and 1094 yards in 2024. He extended his time in Arizona again by signing a two-year contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons for $19 million.
2025 Season-Ending Injury
The Cardinals started hot with James Conner in the backfield, winning their first two games of the season. In the third game of the season, the Cardinals played the 49ers in a close game. In a run up the middle, James Conner came down awkwardly on his right foot, causing an injury. At the time, this was thought to be an ankle injury. However, as time progressed, it was clear that it was much more serious than that. Then, it came out that James Conner would need to get surgery on his foot and would miss the rest of the season. The Cardinals felt Conner's absence, losing four straight games without him in the lineup.
The Future
James Conner has been an electric running back to watch. However, all good things must come to an end. James Conner’s career is not necessarily over; however, he is not getting any younger. He is 30 years old and has just suffered an injury that will take him away from football for almost an entire year. There is a chance that he comes back next season and picks up right where he left off. However, he could also come back next season and not be the same player he once was. Either way, the running back will be playing for the Cardinals for the 2026 season, but where will he go next? Will he stay? Will he go to another team? Will he retire? The way he plays when he comes back will let us know.
